TOURIST businesses in East Lancashire are being encouraged by the North West Tourist Board to get online.

A series of events will take place around the county as part of Information Communication Technology Week.

The Lancashire IT Bus was in Burnley yesterday and in Blackburn today to show how the Internet can help businesses.

A series of conferences were also organised throughout the North West to highlight how easy and rewarding the internet can be.

The North West Tourist Board estimates only 50 per cent of businesses, including accommodation and attractions, had neither e-mail or a web presence. The same number did not know about the e-business opportunities offered by the local and regional tourist offices.